Correspondence: Amalgamation Non-Binding Question

August 18, 2014.

Greetings Mayor Graham Hill and Council

The Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society (Amalgamation Yes) is a grass roots organization whose objective is to achieve more effective and accountable municipal governance in the Capital Region through amalgamation. Recently, this Society raised funds from private sector organizations to pay for a poll by Angus Reid on Municipal and Regional issues in the Capital Region. The results of this poll were released on July 29, 2014. A copy of the full report on this poll is available on our Website; www.amalgamationyes.ca

One of the significant findings of this poll was that 89% of the voters in the Capital Region wish to have a non-binding question on amalgamation as part upcoming municipal election in November.

In addition, our Society has collected thousands of signatures on a petition supporting a non-binding vote during the November elections. The voters in the region have clearly demonstrated a wish to have a non-binding question on amalgamation on the ballot in November.

Your municipal council has the legal authority under section 83 of the Community Charter to give the voters the non-binding question they desire.

In Canada we enjoy a vigorous democracy where the voters participate regularly in their governance system. With respect, it is requested that you provide the taxpayers in your municipality an opportunity to express themselves on this important matter and put a question on amalgamation before the voters in November.

I await your reply,

Susan Jones, President Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society. Amalgamateyes@gmail.com